| Year and Month | June, 2015 |
| Number of Days | 3 (2 nights) |
| Crew | 4 (Age 25-35) |
| Accommodation |
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| Transport | From Kandy to Pitawala by a double cab. Road condition is good so any vehicle can reach Pitawala. |
| Activities | Hiking, Camping, Waterfalls hunting, photography |
| Weather | Excellent – The day prior to hike it was raining heavily to Pitawala, weather was excellent during the hike  |
| Route | Colombo -> Kandy -> Matale -> Raththota -> Pitawala – Returned via same route. |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | sanjaya |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
After reading few Lakdasun trip reports we were tempted to go on this hike. We knew it’s hard but going to be a lifetime experience. I was checking the weather situation frequently with Wasantha(Pitawala) and finally decided it’s going to be 5th to 7th June Duwili Eli can be reached through few roads. The routes I heard are Rambukoluwa, Walpolamulla, Ranamure, Meemure and Bambarella.
Initially we planned for a 2 day trip(1 night) but after calling Harinda we realized that even 3 days will be barely enough for this hike. His advice was to go to Walpolamulla on first day afternoon stay there and do the rest of the hike till Duwili Eli on the next day. But as we were on a tight schedule we decided to start early and finish half of the journey on day 1, walk down the stream as much as possible and cover as much as possible waterfalls on day 2 and spend the 2nd night at Waddahena and come back on day 3. I’m not too sure we are too fit or we are so lucky, the plan worked perfectly :-).
We started the journey at 4 in the morning from Kandy and managed to reach Wasantha’s place at sharp 6.00 as we promised to him. We already requested him to pack our breakfast and lunch, everything was packed and ready when we reach there. Had a tea and started the journey around 6.15. Jayantha(Ekanayaka Mama’s, the famous guide for Duwili Eli hike, son) joined to guide us as Ekanayaka mama returned home late day prior to our trip after attending a religious ceremony. We went to their house at Atanwala, had a chat with Ekanayaka Mama and left around 7.30 in the morning.
 Encouraging views and weather from the beginning |
 “Thala” they use this as an alternative to “Bulath” |
We reached “Walpolamulla” and had our breakfast prepared by “Wasantha’. Had a good rest there and started the journey knowing that not even a quarter done in days target
 The only remaining house in “Walpolamulla”. If you think you cannot do the full distance, Pitawala to Duwili Eli, in a single day best thing is to come to this place day prior. This is an abundant house. An elder lived there, but he also moved to Atanwala after an Elephant attack. |
 View from Walpolamulla abundant paddy field |
 Steep descent, covering this knowing the fact that we have to come back through the same route :-) |
 It’s recommended to wear boots as we got friends on the route :-) |
 “Waddahena”. Our target is to camp 2nd night in this place. |
 Crossing the first stream. |
 Take a proper hiking backpack, gear so the hike will be a pleasant one :-) |
 Clear marks are still there on the route. |
 There are many streams available. So keeping a small water bottle would be enough. This is the place where we had our lunch |
 Even though the view was stunning we did not waste much time here as our target is to reach “Duwili Eli” as early as possible :-). We knew that we can relax here on our way back. |
 Last climb before reaching Duwili Eli |
 Finally, we reached Duwili Eli around 4.30 in the afternoon |
 Worth the effort |
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 Our guide Jayantha relaxing on top of 3rd waterfall according to Malaka’s map. |
 On top of 4th waterfall |
 3rd Waterfall. |
 Stunning view from Duwili Ella |
 Our campsite on day 1 |
 These hiking poles helped a lot |
 . |
 Endless views |
 Colors are much nicer in the morning |
 Temporary farewell |
Duwili Eli is a nice camping place. Tent is not a must, but we decided to take a tent and it was useful :-). It’s not very cold inside the tent and it prevents you from all the small insect bites. For cooking better to take a pot and stove if you have. Stove is not a must as there’s enough fire wood. But stove is easier.
 The waterall I liked most. Even Ekanayaka Mama has seen this for the first time when we went with Harinda. Thanks a lot Harinda for giving us directions, guide was saying it’s not possible to go there. Once I called Harinda he agreed to try finding this waterfall. Directions: When you climb down from Duwili Ella the path is almost parallel to the stream for around first 50 meters. Then it starts to deviate. Go around 50 more meters following the path(yes you will deviate from stream), then find a opening and try to walk towards the stream. You’ll feel like it’s a steep decent that you cannot go down, but it’s doable without any risk. Harinda had gone bit further and backtracked the stream for around 50M IIRC. We thought of doing the same, but just tried the shorter path first and it was successful :-). |
 Crystal clear water |
 Now we have time to wait and enjoy scenery. Cannot capture everything to a picture, you gotta be there to feel it :-) |
 Endless scenic view, endless waterfalls and endless walking :p |
 We started to walk along the stream |
 It wasn’t easy though |
 But we liked it |
 Towards waterfall No 8 |
 Hureeey. Another beauty. Nice camping place. Guided our guide to this waterfall to |
 We laid there for about an hour :-) |
 And started the tough journey again |
 Bones of a Sambar Deer. Hunters were here for about 2-3 days ago |
 Same place |
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 Butane stove was very useful |
 Waterfalls, waterfalls |
 We were not alone :-) |
 Finishing stages of a tough hike you gotta put more effort to cross these obstacles :-) |
 “Waddahena”. Day 2 campsite. You gotta make sure you have a very good campfire when camping here as this situated in a elephant path. |
 Packed. Ready for the last(most hardest) climb to Walpolamulla. We had the option of going through Rambukoluwa, but we went through Walpolamulla as it’s the shorter path even though there’s a steep climb. |
 Manula, a regular partner of our hikes. |
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 “Nugathalawa Mada”. Last resting place before Walpolamulla |
 Final stages of a tough hike, but enthusiasm is still there :-) |
 Harinda’s second favorite place of the hike :-) |
 Green color ones are ours :-) |
 Left to “Manigala”, right to “Duili Eli” through Walpolamulla |
 Yes, we walked a lot :-) |
 From left. Ekanayaka Mama, Manoj, Manula, Jayantha(Ekanayaka Mama’s son) |
 Beautiful Atanwala |
We started the 3rd day around 8.30 from Waddahena and managed to reach Ekanayaka Mama’s house by 12.15. He prepared a tea for us and had a bit longer chat about the journey. Then I went to Wasantha’s place by a “Tuk Tuk” to bring the cab so we can have a nice bath from Telgamuoya before leaving :-). Wasantha also joined with us and he said he will join us with next “Duwili Eli” hike that we are planning to do for 4-5 days.
Finally it was one of the most successful hikes of mine. Everything went well. Even packing, food etc. Usually food is too much so we have to carry everything back. This time there was only a cream cracker left when we reach Atanwala. Used everything we took except the rain coat. Having more light weight hiking gear made hiking easier. If you are willing to do this hike and if you think you are not fit enough.
The body achieves what the mind believes”